Last week I covered fabric grains: lengthwise, crosswise and bias. I also covered bias seams when making units from the stitch & flip technique, like flying geese. This week I am covering another very familiar unit, the half-square triangle (HST) square. I cover the basic technique of making two at a time to making multiples. Let’s get started.
Making Half-Square Triangle (HST) Squares
Let’s start with the most basic, common method that makes two HSTs at a time and uses two squares cut 7/8″ larger than the finished measurement (the measurement without seam allowance) of your HST. For example, for a 2″ HST, you would cut each of the squares 2 7/8″.
Next, draw a line diagonally on the wrong side of one of the squares, place the squares right sides together and then sew a scant 1/4″ on each side of the drawn line.
Then, you cut the unit apart on the drawn line and press the two parts open for two HSTs!
Lots of Half-square Triangle Squares!
On no! I know you’ve shuddered at quilts that have a lot of these types of block units. Making them two at a time, like above, will take a long time. Because of that, you may shy away from making a quilt like my Village Square quilt.
If you want to make a quilt pattern like mine with a lot of scrappy HSTs, the technique of making multiple HSTs at once is a skill you want to learn. There is a way to make four HSTs at a time or even eight at a time.
Four HSTs at a Time: To start, you need to know the size of the HST you want to end up with to know what size to cut your fabric pieces for this technique.
If you need your HSTs to measure 2 1/2 x 2 1/2″ (that includes the seam allowance), you divide that number by .64 and then round up to the nearest whole number. Here’s how that formula looks in action:
2 1/2 ÷ .64 = 3.906 – that number is then round that up to 4″
So, you will cut two squares each 4 x 4″ from the two different color fabrics you want for your HSTs. (first photo below), lay the two squares, right sides together, on top of each other and then stitch with a 1/4″ seam around the outside (last photo).
Since my thread doesn’t show too well on the above photo (finger is pointing to the seam), here’s a drawing of what it should look like:
The final step is to cut the unit apart as shown below and then press open the resulting units for four HSTs.
Since the size of the squares used here are rounded up to make these HSTs, they may need trimming to measure the size needed for the pattern you are making. Be sure to lay the 45 degree line of the ruler you are using for trimming on the diagonal seam for accuracy.
Eight HSTs at a Time: If the quilt pattern you are making has a large amount of HSTs made from the same color combinations, then the eight at a time method will be more efficient for you. Start with 2 squares that are each 2 times the size of the HST square you are making plus 1 3/4″. For an HST squares that measure 1 1/2 x 1 1/2″ , here is the calculation:
1 1/2″ x 2″ = 3″
3″ + 1 3/4″ = 4 3/4″
So, you need two squares each 4 3/4 x 4 3/4″.
Draw two diagonal lines on the wrong side of one of the squares (photo on the left below) and then place your squares right sides together like in the four HSTs at a time instructions above. Pin the unit and sew a scant 1/4″ on each side of each drawn lines (photo on right below).
Cut the unit apart into 4 squares and then cut each square apart on the drawn diagonal line. Once all the pieces are cut apart, then press open for your eight HSTs.
Now you can trim those HSTs to the size you need. Repeat as often as needed to get as many HSTs as you want using a variety of color prints to end up with enough scrappy HSTs to make a quilt like my Village Square.
Blocks Made from Stitch & Flip and HSTs
Here’s some blocks that combine stitch & flip units from last week and the HSTs from this week. Hopefully the tips shared last week and this week make it easier to make these.
That’s all for this week. Leave a comment or ask a question below and I will enter you into the drawing for my pattern, Sun Catcher:
The drawing will be on Monday, January 26th. Good luck! ***We have a winner! Congrats, Judy Kimber!***
Happy Quilting,
Deanne
Love quilts with HST. Thanks for the formulas. It encourages us to do more of these types of quilts.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for the tutorial – will these finish at exact measurements or is there room for trimming down?
There may be some trimming down since when you complete the formula, you round up for the size of the squares.
GREAT tutorial! I’ve been making 2-at-a-time! Love knowing I can now do 8!!! Thank you so much for all of your helpful tips!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for the tutorial! This one of my favorite patchwork to do,
You’re welcome!
Will the bias edges be a problem when doing the 4 at a time technique? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
They shouldn’t be as long as you handle them carefully when pressing and also joining them with others.
I always look at a chart to know what sizes I need for the eight-at-a-time method. Thank you for the formulas.
You’re welcome!
Great tips to help build our quilting skills! I have tried the eight at a time half square triangle method and was overjoyed at the results! Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Eight at a time is the best way to make half square triangles!
I agree!
Doing eight at a time triangles is doing HALF the work as other techniques. Hurray to whoever came up with the idea!!
Glad I can share the technique. Whoever did develop it was a genius! 🙂
Super helpful, thanks!!
Great information 😊
I have made several of your quilt patterns and each one has turned out great. Your explanation is so thorough and the visual stages are great. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks so much for your kind comment! I am so glad my patterns work well for you. I strive to write them in a way that is easy to understand and follow.
HST are so versatile in so many blocks. Thanks for the great instructions.
you’re welcome!
I really learned something today. I had never seen the 4 at a time or 8 at a time methods. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! If you have a project with a lot of HSTs, it comes in handy.
Always love when the math has been figured out for me. I love HSTs and this will help me a lot. Thank you.
Glad I could help. You’re welcome!
Love the Village Square pattern. Thanks for the information.
You’re welcome!
Thanks for that tutorial!
You’re welcome!
Thank you for sharing the formulas to make multiple HST’s. When I make only a few HST’s I always round the measurement up to a full number because I hate measuring 7/8” on anything then I measure the finished HST’s to the correct size and trim it .
That’s also a good way to do it. Just a little more fabric to cut off but not too much. And it gives you room for error.
Thank you. I like their era of making 4 HST at a time!